Question

Maria solved the problem below and believes the answer is -17. Is Maria correct? If not, what is her error? −34 = −2x, x = −17.

Option 1: Yes, she is correct because -34 divided by -2 is -17.
Option 2: No, she is not correct because -34 divided by -2 is 17.
Option 3: No, because she should have added 2 to -34 to get -32.
Option 4: No, because she should have subtracted 2 from -34 to get -36.

Answer 1

Our answer is: option 2.

`\Large\texttt{Explanation}`

We are asked to solve the following equation -

-34 = -2x

Divide both sides by -2:

17 = x

Maria is wrong, because -34 divided by -2 is 17; a negative divided by another negative is always a positive.

`\therefore` our answer is option 2.

Answer 2

option 2

Explanation:

given the equation

- 34 = - 2x ( isolate x, by dividing both sides by - 2 )

`(-34)/(-2)` =
`(-2)/(-2)` x ( simplifying gives )

17 = x

She is not correct with - 17, because - 34 divided by - 2 is 17